The Focus has undoubtably been essential to the Ford lineup since its American debut in 1999. Being an ‘American’ car, it is easy to forget that it saw the European market before it came to the US. It was across seas where the Focus became the acclaimed ‘European car of the year’ and the new edge style made its first big impressions. The Fiesta shortly followed with an update that similarly featured these sharp lines and strained curves.
Fast forward a decade and the Focus and Fiesta sit center stage as the main proponents to the Ford family lineup. A lot has changed in the past decade– new market, technology and consumer expectations. These changes in the auto industry have brought about change for Ford and the new design language is in full swing.

Ford Kinetic design

The facelift on these vehicles has been progressively anticipated and widely critiqued. New ‘Euro’ styling & chasis make the cars look leaning forward stance that makes the car look sharp and in motion. Ford describes the style as energy in motion. They killed the 2010/11 slim nose intake and replaced it by raising the wide mouth that is now sitting under that famous blue oval. The side profile of both these cars are similar to their New Edge ancestery, a slim shoulder with contouring geometry which simplifies the aligning process during manufacturing. Overall the character of these vehicles look modern, tight and send a message that these Fords are flexing their muscles.

Here is the update to my favorite family car. Sporting a V-6 twin turbo with 410 horsepower will get you from 0-60mph in just under 5 seconds. There is also an optional v-8 twin turbo with 530 hp that will top out at 190mph.

This vehicle looks seriously awesome, and supposedly we are looking at a design that is close to production. Pretty wild, eh? The NSX concept is quite refreshing to look at, considering the unfortunate atrocity that is the entire current Acura lineup. But apart from the tragedy that is the Acura showcase this year, this car is wicked. Curves extend across the front wheel haunch providing short overhang, and the waistline meet a series of edges that sculpt out thin headlights on each side. These set of angry eyes sit above a set of large intakes which have horizontal grill textures that are almost like a cheese grater. Suggestion that this vehicle is sharp? I think so!

But thats not all, the NSX will have a sports hybrid engine that combines their 3.5-liter V6 with an electric engine. The vehicle was created to achieve “synergy between man and machine,” says Acura CEO Takanobu Ito.

So I have always been in love with BMW. Over the years I have been with them through some troubled times *cough couch* Chris Bangle *cough cough* and as a result I have come to accept there will always be things I love and hate about their vehicles.

This is the debut of the BMW 4 series

There are high expectations from the famed Bavarian auto group, and they have certainly delivered a gorgeous new edition to an already stacked sports luxury line-up. Everything you wanted from a 3 series is now available on a bigger and beefier platform. The 4 features a lower cab-line with a wider and longer stance that is sleek provokes a deep envy for yuppies with that recent holiday bonus. I only have one peeve about this vehicle, and that is the air scoop behind the front wheel arch. I really hope we dont start seeing that on BMWs across the whole lineup. Oh well, you can’t be too distracted by a minute detail like that when there are so many bold definitions that are sculpted into this beautiful auto. Such as the striking bone line, bonnet creases and enhanced wide mouth intake under the lamps and kidney grill. Where have I seen that before?

This year everyone was talking about the Corvette Stringray. Now that the vehicle has finally arrived it seems to be one of the most talked about debuts at NAIAS 2013. In Detroit it seems as though people never get sick of retro design. This new version of the 1960’s classic features a similar elongated hood and stringray-like fenders, but it does so in a somewhat discreet mannar that does not distract from an array of new design geometry. Thankfully God! because the US market needs more vehicles that breaks free from many cliche retro jobs that can be found an many big 3 badges. The overall cab profile, front face and rear fender intake looks similar to the Ferarri 599. Moving to the rear of the vehicle the most noticeable design progressions are the non-circular taillights that decorate the back panel. As a whole, the rear of the Vette looks closely related to the Camero, but much larger and flatter.. kinda like the C5.

With the hype surrounding this vehicle, I am finding trouble deciding if I like it. Maybe that will change in Q3 of 2013 when I see it on the road.